Eric Ducharme became enticed by the folklore of mermaids as a very young boy, vigorously pursuing his interests through the art of drawing, costuming, and underwater performance. Eric’s first encounter with mermaids was at the age of four when his grandparents, who then lived in Hernando Beach, took him to the enchanting world of Weeki Wachee Springs. Having previously seen pictures of the mermaids, he could not wait to get to the park. He sat in the theater enthralled as the curtains rose and a beautiful mermaid swam across the theater windows, waving and blowing kisses to the audience. Fittingly, the show at the time was “The Little Mermaid”. After the show Eric was insistent on having his picture taken with several of the lovely mermaids. Year after year Eric spent many days visiting the park, getting to know the park staff and most affectionately, the mermaids. For his sixth birthday, Eric’s father arranged to have his birthday part at Weeki Wachee Spring’s water park, Buccaneer Bay. Little did he know the special surprise his father had in store for him later on in that day. As he sat on the island, finishing cake and opening presents, he saw two beautiful mermaids swimming up to the dock. One of the lifeguards brought two green tailed mermaids over to the bench where he was sitting. Their names were Tonya and Sativa. They sat and talked with him for a while, wished him a happy birthday, and gave him a birthday kiss before saying goodbye and returning to the water. After that birthday, Eric’s interest in mermaids grew by leaps and bounds. He began drawing pictures and portraits of his favorite mermaids. He also became increasingly interested in the tails that they wore. Eric started making tails out of anything he could find, including plastic garbage bags put together with glue sticks. His first fabric tails were hand sewn with a needle and thread. Wanting to improve and perfect his mermaid tails, Eric engaged the help of his grandmother to help teach him how to sew on the sewing machine. When Eric was nine he attended his first “Under the Spring” camp at Weeki Wachee and finally got the opportunity to experience first hand what it was like to swim in the springs alongside the Weeki Wachee Mermaids as a camp student. It was at this time that he met Barbara Wynns, a former mermaid at Weeki Wachee who was, and is still, very actively involved in the park. They shared storied of their passions about merfolk and became friends Barbara too Eric under her flipper and showed him some of the ropes, teaching him how to swim as a merman By the age of twelve, after spending many years of wonderful Weeki Wachee experiences Eric decided to start his own business, calling himself “The Mertailor” so he could share his enthusiasm and creativity about these mystical underwater creatures known as merfolk. Today, Eric creates mermaid tails from various materials such as silicone, urethanes, and latex rubbers to produce a realistic looking product.
“We got no troubles, life is bubbles, under the sea!” - The Little Mermaid - Sebastian 🧜🏻♀️ . . Recently we have created a ton of green Spellbound Tails for various customers around the world! I’m assuming there’s a Little Mermaid craze going around at the moment 😍 Would you like to have a mermaid tail themed after Ariel’s? . . We’ve got some VERY exciting news to share with you VERY SOON! Shoes ready for some exciting news 🤷♀️ . . #thelittlemermaid #littlemermaid #disney #ariel #sebastian #mermaid #mermaidtail #siliconemermaidtail #finals #mertailor #themertailor #underthesea #excitingnews #green https://www.instagram.com/p/BpFIArlhIyA/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=eoekd65ake0j
“All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost. From the ashes a fire shall be woken, A light from the shadows shall spring; Renewed shall be blade that was broken, The crownless again shall be king.” J.R.R. Tolkien - The Fellowship of the Rings . . Back in the day, gold or golden themed tails use to be extremely popular. It’s not too often that I have the opportunity to create them anymore. However, I recently had the pleasure of creating this beautiful gold, opalescent tail ✨ It glistens in the sun and is truly a sign of royalty 👑 . . What do you think of gold mermaid tails 🧜🏻♀️ . . #gold #golden #goldfinger #glitter #sparkle #opalescence #iredescent #spellboundtail #imagination #handmade #mermaid #mermaidtail #mermaidscales #fins #mertailor #themertailor #siliconemermaidtail https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo7zlIKBHnx/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1xgtca2wugij6
“So comes snow after fire, and even dragons have their endings.” J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit 🔥 . . 1 of 2, Sea Dragon themed Spellbound Tails. This tail features almost every ornamental fin, and color accent you can think of. From color shifting pigments to stippling, this tail is going to be a show stopper 😍 What’s your favored set of ornamental fins 🧜🏻♀️ . . #sea #dragon #dragons #seadragon #siliconemermaidtail #mermaidtail #mermaid #merman #spellboundtail #magic #mythical #phoenix #dreamy #darkside #mertailor #themertailor #hobbit #thehobbit https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo1OkZwhXLU/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=jf3p8y2mprjq
“Be uniquely you. Stand out. Shine. Be colorful. The world needs your prismatic soul!” Amy Leigh Mercree ✨ . . A beautiful POP of color splash was used to create this Lotus Spellbound Tail! I cannot wait to see video of this mesmerizing piece underwater 😍 . . #color #rainbow #popofcolor #shine #standout #colorful #mermaid #siliconemermaidtail #mermaidtail #mermaidscales #lotus #marinefish #saltwaterfish #tropicalvibes #mertailor #themertailor https://www.instagram.com/p/BoypWWQBywB/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1wbmochmuiq68
“You’re my butterfly, sugar baby” 🦋 Crazy Town 🤪 . . The Monarch is considered to be one of the most iconic and familiar species of butterflies to North America. While we are creators of mermaid tails, imaginations can run wild, leading to these gorgeous butterfly inspired mermaid tails 🧜🏻♀️ This is not one of our standard coloring designs. Something of this magnitude would require a custom quote prior to production. . . #monarchbutterfly #monarch #butterfly #insect #bugslife #siliconemermaidtail #mermaidtail #mermaid #spellboundtail #mertailor #themertailor #specialfx #spfx #handmade #airbrush #inspiration #imagination https://www.instagram.com/p/BowZAAWBRpG/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=13ile4b6p3bs3
When I grow up, I want to be a mermaid. What do you want to be when you grow up? Who says you cannot live your dreams just because you’re all grown up 🤗 . . Photography- @mslunamarie Tail- @mertailor Makeup- @esco_art Hair- @styles_by_reneemarie Accessories - @lorysunartistry Location- @thesecretgardensmiami . . #mermaidmonday #secretgarden #miamiflorida #miami #florida #mermaid #mermaidtail #magical #mythical #mermaidvibes #mermaidlife #grownup #liveyourdreams #dreamy #mermaidlagoon #tattoo #black #gothic #mertailor #themertailor #waterfall #redhead #beatiful #whenigrowup #featherboa #halloween #spooky #dressedinblack https://www.instagram.com/p/Boq83d1hjJM/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=vdn3qlf62dqr
“It is nice finding that place where you can just go and relax.” 🌴 Moises Arias 🧜♂️ Making tails is what I do best, being free underwater is my reward ✨ #underwater #relax #magical #hairflip #merman #mertailor #swimming #moby #feelingmyself #dance #ballet https://www.instagram.com/p/Bol0fnXBZeY/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1d275us3tm9sx
“Stay true to yourself. An original is worth more than a copy.” ✨ . Thanks to the talented and extraordinary @legacymermaids of @legacyphotography1, she shoved MY “fins” on this gigantic boulder and made me smolder in the middle of a freezing cold river in the Georgia mountains 🧜♂️ . If it weren’t for @mslunamarie yelling at me to get my ass in the tail, it probably wouldn’t have happened. It takes an army to get these things done, let me tell you 😂 Let's not forget @thestorey screaming across the river, 🧜🏻♀️ @treasure.coast.mermaid and @mermaid_jules sitting outside the frame talking about who knows what,💖 @blueyake taking the kids down the river, tripping on the rocks almost breaking bones, and my 😱Mom, Candy, trying to stay out of the way, but watching in amazement! . #storytime #smolder #boulder #waterfall #magical #mythical #merman #mermantail #mermaid #mermaidtail #scruff #malemodel #instagay #gayboy #mertailor #themertailor #mertailormen #funtimes #adventuretime #moutainman #creature #nationalforest #loveyourself #staytrue #beoriginal https://www.instagram.com/p/BoffVMZhoUO/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ftmk7l5np2v4
“The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams.” 💖 Oprah Winfrey . Parrot Bay Whimsy Tail! Now available and extremely popular ✨ . 📸 @legacyphotography1 @legacymermaids 🧜🏻♀️ @mslunamarie . #whimsical #whimsy #fantasea #mermaid #siren #sirena #fairytail #fairy #mermaidtail #mermaidlife #mermaidhair #mermaidhairdontcare #mermaidtattoo #onceuponatime #parrotbay #tattoo #riverofdreams #dream #georgia https://www.instagram.com/p/BoekIHrhbwG/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1q50nwsfyba6i
“My dear, sweet child. That’s what I do. It’s what I live for, to help unfortunate merfolk, like yourself, poor souls with no one else to turn to.” 🐙 Ursula - “The Little Mermaid” 🧜🏻♀️ . Medusa’s Revenge Whimsy Tail! Now available and in perfect time for the spooky season 🎃 We are Mertailor, that’s what we do, we help merfolk, like yourself, to create beautiful mermaid tails for your soul ❤️ . 📸 @legacyphotography1 @legacymermaids 🧜🏻♀️ @treasure.coast.mermaid . #poorunfortunatesouls #souls #merfolk #live #ursula #thelittlemermaid #disney #waltdisney #magic #believe #littlemermaid #mermaid #mermaidtail #whimsy #mermaidlife #georgia #forest #enchantedforest https://www.instagram.com/p/BocGDFphhNL/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=16p789ivl6shv
We cannot think of a better way to start the first, official day of October with our 2nd Tail of the Month! Introducing Medusas Revenge! Dive deep into the depths with this electrifying tail 😱 Available in Whimsy and Fantasea Fabric Tail Skins! If you’re interested, go to our website which is in our biography and if you’re a Women, click on that, otherwise click on Men! From there, find tails and look for either Fantasea Fabric or Whimsy Tails! Have a happy Mermaid Monday everyone 🎃 #mermaidmonday #electrifying #electric #october #haloween #medusa #revenge #medusasrevenge #fantasea #whimsy #merman #mermaidtail #mertailor #themertailor #purple #sunkenship https://www.instagram.com/p/BoY1c-6h2FO/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=2vmdusuw8a72
We cannot think of a better way to start the first, official day of October with our 2nd Tail of the Month! Introducing Medusas Revenge! Dive deep into the depths with this electrifying tail 😱 Available in Whimsy and Fantasea Fabric Tail Skins! If you’re interested, go to our website which is in our biography and if you’re a Women, click on that, otherwise click on Men! From there, find tails and look for either Fantasea Fabric or Whimsy Tails! Have a happy Mermaid Monday everyone 🎃 #mermaidmonday #electrifying #electric #october #haloween #medusa #revenge #medusasrevenge #fantasea #whimsy #merman #mermaidtail #mertailor #themertailor #purple #sunkenship https://www.instagram.com/p/BoY1c-6h2FO/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=2vmdusuw8a72
“We all need somebody to lean on” 🤗 I love my family and I love my friends! We had a great time this weekend at some magical locations in Georgia photographing Spellbound Tails! I enjoyed my time in the mountains 😍 Photography 📸 @thestorey . @treasure.coast.mermaid @msluna_mermaid @mermaid_jules . #mermaids #friends #leanonme #georgia #rapids #waterfall #river #mermaidtails #mertailor #themertailor #bridge #spellbound #tails #photoshoot #merman #mountaineers https://www.instagram.com/p/BoXoDLthPm6/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1q0lx63sltpg7
Taking the weekend to enjoy some time in the Deep South! Very happy to be swimming in the falls with some wonderful mermaid friends 🤗 I’m excited to share all of the photos with you in the next few weeks 🧜🏻♀️ What exciting things have you been up to this weekend? #merman #mermantail #waterfall #rapids #boulder #river #georgia #mertailor #themertailor #deepsouth #whitecaps #hiking #upacreekwithoutapaddle https://www.instagram.com/p/BoVKPpJBZ8E/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ug4ejy6498dk
Some of my favorite tails to create are ones that resemble fish and other marine life. While all tails look beautiful, I find realism to be more authentic to my style as an artist ✨ Who’s in love with this green Spellbound merman tail? One of the top questions we get is “how much”, visit the link in our bio and do some browsing on the different mermaid and merman tails that we have to offer. There’s a little something for everyone 🤗 #realism #authenticity #merman #mermaid #mermaidtails #marinelife #fish #scales #fin #silicone #artist #mertailor #themertailor #inspirational #freshwater #swamp https://www.instagram.com/p/BoRGqN_hmLM/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1e409tckphjl2
Start your day off with this opalescent inspired Spellbound Mermaid Tail made for @officialmermaidkelly ✨ In the next few days this beautiful mermaid will be getting her new set of fins! Mermaid Kelly has been a supporter of Mertailor for many years and has almost owned each type of tail we’ve offered over the years 🤗 There’s so many of you who have been major Mertailor supporters and we’er so thankful to all of you ❤️ #thelittlemermaid #littlemermaid #opalescence #siliconemermaidtail #spellboundtail #mermaidtail #mermaid #mermaidlife #mertailor #themertailor #scales #fin #handmade #specialfx #seafoam #pastel https://www.instagram.com/p/BoOoL4fhJYf/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=xukbsgpvnafe
Start your day off with this opalescent inspired Spellbound Mermaid Tail made for @officialmermaidkelly ✨ In the next few days this beautiful mermaid will be getting her new set of fins! Mermaid Kelly has been a supporter of Mertailor for many years and has almost owned each type of tail we’ve offered over the years 🤗 There’s so many of you who have been major Mertailor supporters and we’er so thankful to all of you ❤️ #thelittlemermaid #littlemermaid #opalescence #siliconemermaidtail #spellboundtail #mermaidtail #mermaid #mermaidlife #mertailor #themertailor #scales #fin #handmade #specialfx #seafoam #pastel https://www.instagram.com/p/BoOoL4fhJYf/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1l3talskwh39f
